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PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

Jennifer Sadoff

Deputy General Counsel, AvidXchange, Inc.

Happy Fall, ACC Charlotte Members and Friends!

As the weather gets cooler during this wonderful time of year, I hope you will all think about getting outside and finding a patio on which to relax.  We have some fantastic social events coming up, and I hope you will consider joining your fellow members at the NODA Company Canteen (tomorrow - September 28) or the Dilworth Tasting Room (October 12). 

Thanks to all of you who attended Casino Night at The Big Chill on September 9th!  We gave away some outstanding prizes and, overall, had a great time.  It is also worth noting that we collected over 800 pounds of food for Second Harvest Food Bank.  Thank you, thank you, thank you!  And for those of you who missed out, please be sure to join us next year!

Speaking of fun, we had a very busy 3rd quarter and have enjoyed some fantastic events like the Ultimate Marvel Exhibit at Discovery Place, the “Dress for Success” Community Service Event, showing off our pickleball skills at Rally in South End, fine tuning our professional skills with a hands-on coaching workshop, discussing the importance of work / life balance at Eight + Sand, welcoming our new to in-house members at Leo’s Italian Social, and enjoying a beer tasting at Legion Brewing South Park.  We have also received some outstanding legal education over the past few months, thanks to our fantastic sponsors, without whom it would be impossible to host such wonderful events.

For those of you who haven’t yet attended our monthly CLE lunch at The Hamilton, please be aware that we have chosen a new location for this event (since our beloved Byron’s closed in the Spring).  We are off to a great start and have received very positive feedback.  For those who have not yet visited The Hamilton, it is located at the AvidXchange Music Factory, next door to VBGB (with the beach volleyball courts), at 820 Hamilton Street.  There is plenty of free parking (please disregard the pay-to-park signs!) outside of the venue, on the street, across the street in the AvidXchange parking deck, and in the AvidXchange parking lot.  If you have specific questions, please contact Kathleen or Jane.

I look forward to connecting with you at our upcoming ACC Charlotte Chapter events.  Thank you for allowing me to serve as your Chapter President as we round out the year!



Welcome ACC Charlotte New Members!

July 2023 - Present

Bridget Alberts, Corporate Counsel, ICF International Inc.

Chandler Campbell, Corporate Counsel, Piedmont Lithium Inc.

Karen Chapman, Senior Director & Counsel, Equitable Financial Life Insurance Company

Devin Chidester, Senior Counsel, Wells Fargo Bank

Amy Clark, General Counsel, Brooks Equipment Company

Roger Cole, Corporate Counsel, SARSTEDT, Inc.

Molly Decker, Senior Counsel, Wells Fargo

Jennifer Estleford, Attorney, Wells Fargo Law Department

Stacy Grant, VP, Deputy GC, Global Corporate Affairs, Albemarle Corporation

Angela Gray, Corporate Counsel, Brighthouse Financial

Anthony McBridge, Contracts Counsel, Veracyle Inc.

Ryan McGuinness, Associate Counsel, Compass Group USA

Chrishon McManus, Counsel, Allspring Global Investments

Aileen Moyano, Senior Counsel, Wells Fargo Law Department

Joe Murray, Senior Legal Counsel, Labor and Employment, US, Circle K Stores Inc.

Maren Rennie, Sr. Counsel, Capital Projects, Albemarle Corporation

Casey Roach, Assistant General Counsel, Dole Food Company Inc.

Austin Thompson, Corporate Counsel, Compass Group USA, Inc.

Cymoril White, Associate Counsel, Hornets Sports & Entertainment

Tangeria Williams, Counsel-Commercial Agreements, RPM International

Jordan Wolff, Senior Counsel, Credit Karma, LLC

Susan Young, Chief Legal & Compliance Officer, NearU Services

We have amped up our social media in 2023!

If you haven't already, please like and follow us on Facebook and LinkedIn.

Thank you to all who joined us!

Sponsored by FTI Consulting, LegalPeople, and Onit - 9/9/23

Hands-on Coaching Workshop for In-House Counsel

Sponsored by Winston & Strawn - 8/24/23

Coaching is a process of both transformation and empowerment. It helps an individual identify and crystalize goals, identify the gap between where they are and those goals, brainstorm strategies to close that gap and test out and get feedback on their approach. It can be impactful for personal or professional goals but also for more effectively managing others. Because coaching is meant to empower, two important skills to master are active listening and asking powerful questions. For lawyers and others who are used to giving advice, this can be a hard transition to make. This one-hour workshop focused on the basics of coaching plus these two critical skills and why mastering them can be so helpful. Members participated by practicing scenarios through role play. They also enjoyed a delicious lunch!

Thank you to Winston & Strawn for sponsoring this professional development event.



New to In-House: Getting Wise with a Little Help from My Friends

Sponsored by Parker Poe - 9/14/23

The presentation addressed one very big question: What do in-house lawyers need to learn the most? Two topics rise to the top: business acumen and time management. Following the New to In-House (NIH)'s blockbuster “School of Hard Talks” session in March 2023, the Committee hosted a hard-hitting and interactive discussion to help in-house counsel gain wisdom about these topics. Attendees learned practical, specific strategies to accelerate their business acumen and be more productive with their time. The discussion was led by three star panelists with plenty of help from the collective wisdom of our ACC attendees. This program was hosted by the New-to-In-House Committee and Parker Poe for both experienced in-house counsel and new to in-house attorneys. For these events, the committee needs in-house counsel of all experience levels to attend and participate so we truly appreciate all those who attended and contributed to such an amazing discussion!

Thank you to Parker Poe for sponsoring this New to In-House event.

Spa Day

Sponsored by Ogletree - 7/18/23

The women of Ogletree Deakins treated ACC Charlotte owmen to an amazing spa day at The Spa at Ballantyne. Each attendee relaxed with a private massage and enjoyed brunch or lunch (depending on their appointment time).. Following the scheduled events, the Ballantyne Resort allowed our members to enjoy the pool and spa amenities for the afternoon.

Thank you to Ogletree Deakins for sponsoring this women's event.

Making a Case for Leisure Time: A discussion of the importance

of work/life balance for busy women lawyers

Sponsored by Bradley - 8/29/23

Many studies show that making time for an activity that you enjoy can improve your mental health and well-being. However, as we all know far too well, women attorneys have demanding occupations and it can be challenging to find time to spend on hobbies. In this roundtable style discussion at the new Eight + Sand Kitchen in Southend, Bradley attorneys and ACC members connected over delicious food and cocktails about their extracurricular activities and how they find time to pursue them while maintaining a busy career.

Thank you to Bradley for sponsoring this women's event.

Flowers & Food: Flower Arranging

Sponsored by Moore & Van Allen - 9/26/23

This amazing workshop-style event taught our women members how the pros take those beautiful blooms and create floral masterpieces! Floral designer Karen Greenoe of Lily Greenthumb’s shared her best tips and tricks to design a floral creation. In this workshop, our women members got to design (and take home!) their own arrangement and left with skills that will wow the next time they entertain.

Thank you to Moore & Van Allen for sponsoring this women's event.



Ultimate Marvel Exhibit

Sponsored by Jackson Lewis - 7/25/23

From original artifacts to interactive installations - ACC Charlotte got the chance to experience Marvel like never before. Jackson Lewis arranged a private group event to check out up-close a variety of costumes and props from the Marvel Cinematic Universe. From Iron Man's iconic red and gold suit to Captain America's patriotic red, white and blue uniform, Marvel fans got a detailed look at the intricate designs that bring these characters to life on the big screen. Following the exhibit, ACC Charlotte members and Jackson Lewis attorneys enjoyed a happy hour reception.

Thank you to Jackson Lewis for sponsoring this event.

Rally with Robinson Bradshaw

Sponsored by Robinson Bradshaw - 8/17/23

ACC Charlotte members and Robinson Bradshaw attorney hit the courts at the new Rally in SouthEnd to learn about the game of pickleball and enjoy delicious food and drink. Thanks to all our members who came out and tried a new thing - and those who already knew their stuff! It is always exciting to see new venues in the Charlotte area and even better with great networking and happy hour!

Thank you to Robinson Bradshaw for sponsoring this event.

Raise a Glass - Beer Tasting

Sponsored by Kilpatrick Townsend - 9/19/23

ACC Charlotte members and Kilpatrick attorneys enjoyed a quick beer tasting of local and seasonal craft beers along with a very heavy dinner. It was fun for members to connect with each other in a relaxed setting and leave with full stomachs - thanks to all who joined us to raise a glass to an evening of networking and camaraderie.

Thank you to Kilpatrick Townsend for sponsoring this social event.

Dress for Success

Sponsored by Poyner Spruill - 8/8/23

ACC Charlotte members and Poyner Spruill attorneys volunteered together at Charlotte's chapter of Dress for Success. Dress for Success helps empower women in our community to achieve economic independence by providing a network of support, professional attire, and development tools to help women thrive in work and in life. Poyner Spruill kicked off the event with a happy hour and networking which included delicious food, wine, and beer. After members connected and had a drink and some appetizers, they helped this amazing organization sort and tag their donations. 

Thank you to Poyner Spruill for sponsoring this community service event.

6th Annual Charlotte Pro Bono Triage Partnership

Sponsored by McGuireWoods - 9/20/23

ACC Charlotte members joined with leaders from the business and legal community for the sixth annual Charlotte Triage fall program, offering CLE training in newly expanded areas of service. For the past five years, law firm and corporate legal department leaders and volunteers have come together to address critical legal needs for the most vulnerable members of the Charlotte community. This year, this group expanded the Charlotte Triage program to include two additional areas of critical need: (1) representing vulnerable children with special needs; and (2) assisting survivors of domestic violence. 

After the CLE trainings, attendees gathered on the rooftop of the Grand Bohemian for a networking reception, where the inaugural winners of the Charlotte Triage Champion of the Year and the Charlotte Triage Volunteer of the Year were announced. Congratulations to ACC Charlotte member Kerry-ann Archer for winning Volunteer of the Year and to Triage Champions, ACC Charlotte member Anna O'Neal, silver sponsor Robinson Bradshaw's Miranda Groot, and bronze sponsor Alston & Bird's Elizabeth Murphy.

Thank you to McGuireWoods for sponsoring this pro bono event.

Drafting Document Retention Policies

Sponsored by Womble Bond Dickinson (US) - 7/12/23

Presenter:

Mark P. Henriques

Womble Bond Dickinson (US) LLP

Companies are overflowing with information. Data is generated at a remarkable rate. What can be kept? What can be destroyed? This timely presentation helped in-house attorneys responsible for drafting document retention policies to define the key objectives of the policy and satisfy the necessary legal requirements. Attendees learned the proper elements of legal hold and the consequences for failing to properly implement such hold. The material provided critical step-by-step guidance to policy-drafters to achieve results which are compliant, easily understood and feasible to implement. It also offered practical advice in the challenging areas of email retention and use of personal mobile devices (Bring-Your-Own-Device).

Thank you to Womble for sponsoring this CLE.

Privacy Parade: How to Navigate the Rush of New State Privacy Laws

Sponsored by Troutman Pepper - 7/20/23

Presenters:

Josh Davey and Kim Phan

Troutman Pepper

This presentation covered the U.S. State Comprehensive Privacy Laws that are popping up like popcorn on a carnival midway – first California and Virginia; then Colorado, Connecticut, and Utah; and now Indiana, Iowa, Montana, and Tennessee.

Josh and Kim advised our members on how they can avoid the haunted house of compliance and know how to handle these laws in a practical and integrated way, as well as what other companies are doing to solve some of the toughest problems under these laws including critical privacy policy updates; new contractual amendments with vendors and/or customers; implementation approaches and tools for consumer rights and opt-outs; building one Privacy Impact Assessment for U.S./global laws; and tips for solving Do Not Sell/Share Opt-Outs and Managing AdTech Cookies.

Thank you to Troutman Pepper for sponsoring this CLE.

Promotion or Illegal Lottery?

Sponsored by Moore & Van Allen - 8/2/23

Presenter:

Suzanne Gainey

Moore & Van Allen

Nearly every company has run a promotional sweepstakes or contest at some point or another, particularly via social media. But, was their sweepstakes or contest actually an illegal lottery? This presentation provided an overview of how to conduct a sweepstakes or other contests while complying with the various state laws that apply to lotteries and other games of chance. Suzanne discussed the special requirements for using social media, state bonding and registration requirements, as well as best practices for running sweepstakes and contests. She shared practical advice that will help guide in-house counsel (as well as marketing teams) in ensuring sweepstakes and contests are a success.

Thank you to Moore & Van Allen for sponsoring this CLE. 

Managing Corporate DEI Challenges: A View From Inside

Sponsored by Parker Poe - 8/10/23

Moderator:

Shalanna L. Pirtle

Parker Poe

Panelists:

Sonya Rorie, Deputy Chief Diversity Officer and CFA at Allspring Global Investments

Brandi Riggins, Global Head of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Guidewire Software

Over the last two decades, numerous employers dove head-first into implementing diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives to create work environments that were more welcoming and provided spaces for employees to feel heard and seen as their authentic selves. These initiatives intensified following the 2020 summer of unrest. Well-intentioned as these efforts are, they have not been without pushback or backlash. Growing claims of reverse discrimination and “anti-woke” movements have caused some employers to either slow-roll or pause their programming efforts, or worse, reverse progress.

This presentation's moderator and panelists identified activities or programs that seem to commonly trigger opposition to DEI initiatives, prepared attendees to respond to assertions of reverse discrimination from employees, and provided strategies to combat and proactively address pushback to these initiatives.

Thank you to Parker Poe for sponsoring this CLE webinar. 

Attorney-Client Privilege in Internal Investigations

Sponsored by Alston & Bird - 8/15/23

Presenters:

Mike Hoernlein, Thomas Walker, Hanna Robbins

Alston & Bird

Last year, the Supreme Court of North Carolina upheld a remarkable N.C. Business Court decision that severely weakened attorney-client and work product protections in the context of internal corporate investigations. See Buckley, LLP v. Series 1 of Oxford Ins. Co., NC, LLC, 382 N.C. 55 (2022). The Court permitted discovery of otherwise protected communications about an outside law firm’s internal investigation into harassment allegations because the company’s policies required the investigation. The Court concluded that it was done in the ordinary course of business and was not for purposes of legal advice. This presentation discussed how the attorney-client privilege and work product doctrines apply in the context of internal investigations, especially in the wake of the Buckley decision.

Thank you to Alston & Bird for sponsoring this CLE.

Contract Review: Indemnity and Insurance Considerations

and Additional Insured Provisions

Sponsored by Shumaker - 8/22/23

Presenters:

Amanda Leffler, Lucas Blower, and Wes Lambert, Shumaker

Tim Nohr, Rack Room Shoes

This program addressed contractual risk transfer provisions—specifically, indemnity provisions and insurance provisions—found in most commercial contracts. The speakers provided an overview of the relevant contract provisions, insurance policy principals, and law and will provide practical advice for drafting contracts to ensure they effectuate the intended transfer of risk. 

Thank you to Shumaker for sponsoring this CLE webinar.

Your HR Vendor Reports A Massive Data Breach…Now What?

Sponsored by Jackson Lewis - 9/6/23

Presenter:

Bernard Tisdale

Jackson Lewis

Organizations have a difficult enough time ensuring the security of their own IT systems, and little time to manage how their vendors are protecting the organization’s information. But, of course, should a vendor have a data breach affecting an organization’s personal data, the organization still has significant legal obligations. This presentation addressed preparedness, response and related strategies for dealing with a vendor data breach.

Thank you to Jackson Lewis for sponsoring this CLE.

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